Albany High Indians are subject of official city ornament

ALBANY — Easter Seals Southern Georgia and the city of Albany began issuing “official” city Christmas ornaments in 1992. Since that time, iconic places such as the Radium Springs Casino, Jimmie’s Hot Dogs, the Arctic Bear and the so-called Friendship Oak have been featured.

But the excitement being generated by the 2017 ornament may well help it out-sell all the others.

“I know I have said this before, but I think this year’s ornament sales will be the best ever,” Easter Seals Southern Georgia Executive Director Beth English said.

In an August release, The Herald broke the news that Albany High School would be the subject of this year’s Christmas ornament. At that time, though, design work had not yet begun. Still, when the word spread about East Seals’ plan, more than 500 ornaments were pre-ordered, sight unseen.

On Monday, Mayor Dorothy Hubbard will read and sign the traditional proclamation naming the AHS ornament as the city’s official ornament for 2017.

“With all the pre-orders and the excitement surrounding the ornament’s design, we ordered 2,000 this year,” English said. “Our normal order is 1,000.”

The ornaments that will be shipped — the ones that were pre-ordered and have been paid for — will go out in the mail Monday after Hubbard makes the official proclamation. Orders made locally also will be available for pick-up Monday at the Easter Seals office, located at 1906 Palmyra Road.

Each ornament comes in an Easter Seals box, which happens to be orange, and has a green ribbon for hanging. The colors are those of the Albany High Indians. Also included with each purchase is a numbered certificate of authenticity with a summation of the history of Albany High.

As in the past, all proceeds from the sales benefit Megan’s House, a respite care facility for children with special needs, including those who are medically fragile.

Pre-paid orders will be filled first. All others will be offered for sale as the supply lasts. The cost is $18 each, with an additional $3 charge for ornaments that must be shipped.

School alumni can collect a keepsake honoring their beloved Albany High School Indians; Megan’s House will receive much-needed operational funds, and these collectibles, Easter Seals officials note, make wonderful holiday gifts. To purchase one of the ornaments before they’re gone, go by the Palmyra Road Easter Seals location or call (229) 439-7061 to get your Christmas in Albany 2017 ornament, which are, by the way, made in the USA.